The smartest card in North Carolina is a library card

Chicago – For the fourth year in a row, the State Library of North Carolina is proving that the smartest card in North Carolina is a library card.

“A public library card gives you access to a whole world of information and imagination,” said Gov. Perdue in a video podcast available on
YouTube.

The governor went on to remind North Carolinians that, “In tough economic times, our state’s public libraries are critical, because they help residents learn to read, use computers and develop other skills they need to succeed.”

For this year’s campaign both the state library and the governor wanted to create a cost-effective, green initiative. In addition to the podcast, the library featured Perdue in a electronic public service announcement (PSA), which was sent electronically to the media and every library in the state. Participating libraries posted the podcast and PSA on their Web sites and showed the podcast in the library. Perdue also issued a proclamation announcing September as Library Card Sign-up Month.

“Gov. Perdue really understands the importance of libraries,” said Pam Jaskot library consultant for communications at the state library. “We are working to keep the awareness there.”

During the last fiscal year, Perdue’s constituents visited their public libraries more than 37 million times and used library computers on more than 9 million occasions. In North Carolina, circulation of library materials is up 20 percent and access to public computers is up 86 percent.

Other promotional materials, including a sample press release, letter to the editor, proclamation, PSA scripts, logos and buttons, can also be found at
www.ala.org/librarycardsignup.

Previous spokespeople in North Carolina have included world renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis, actress Andie MacDowell and Kevyn Adams, former co-captain of the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team.

The Campaign for America’s Libraries, (
www.ala.org/@yourlibrary) is ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible by ALA’s
Library Champions, corporations and foundations that advocate the importance of the library in American society.